Extensive American Bison DNA Collection to be Archived

Posted August 25, 2008

Few wildlife species stir our emotions and reach the iconic
status of the American bison, and for generations this species has
symbolized the strength and sprit of the American west. From its
rapid demise over 100 years ago when animal numbers fell from
millions to just a few hundred survivors, to the spectacular
recovery that now allows thousands of animals to roam throughout
many US and Canadian federal lands, bison have proven to be an
ultimate survivor.

Over the last 10 years, scientists from Texas A&M University
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences have
conducted genetic studies to help ensure the long-term conservation
of bison by identifying critical issues affecting germplasm (DNA)
integrity and diversity. Through the course of these studies, Drs.
James Derr, Natalie Halbert and Joe Templeton have amassed one of
the largest and most comprehensive collections of DNA samples from
any wildlife species.

A majority of their work has involved the US Federal bison herds
and has been funded through the National Park Service, the Fish and
Wildlife Service and the US Geological Survey. Working with
personnel from these Department of Interior agencies, Texas A&M
University scientists have collected DNA samples from blood and/or
hair follicles from well over 4500 individual bison. These samples
were collected from five National Parks (Badlands NP, Grand Teton
NP, Theodore Roosevelt NP, Wind Cave NP and Yellowstone NP) and
five Fish and Wildlife Service herds (Fort Niobrara NWR, National
Bison Range, Neal Smith NWR, Sully's Hill National Game Preserve
and Wichita Mountains NWR). Bert Frost, Associate Director for
Natural Resource Stewardship and Science notes that "bison are the
icon of the Department of the Interior and this work represents a
giant step in retaining genetic integrity in these bison herds and
maximizing their genetic diversity in the future."

"Making these DNA samples available for future research focusing
on the long term survival and health of this important keystone
species should be a priority," says Sue Haseltine Associate
Director for Biology at the US Geological Survey. This valuable
repository of bison genetic material and a tremendous amount of
associated scientific data were recently accessioned into the
Museum of

Southwestern Biology, Division of Genomic Resources, at the
University of New Mexico. This internationally recognized museum
manages a number of federal collections and is the largest frozen
archive for wild mammals in the world. The museum will
professionally curate these samples and provide worldwide access
through a web-based database to investigators that are interested
in using bison DNA for scientific purposes.

Each bison DNA sample was carefully divided into two portions,
one aliquot was delivered to the permanent archive at the Museum of
Southwestern Biology at the University New Mexico and the other
half of each sample will remain at Texas A&M University for
ongoing genetic studies.

As pointed out by the scientists at Texas A&M University,
"our hope is that studies of American bison conservation genetics
using modern genomic technologies will serve as a model for
conscientious stewardship of other species worldwide, and that
making these DNA samples available to the scientific community will
ultimately help protect this treasured natural resource."